Don't confuse pigmentation in corn silk with browning due to senecence which occurs after pollination as the no-longer-needed silks dry up and die. Some corn has silk which is naturally pigmented, usually a burgundy to purple color, this is genetic, and corns with that trait often, but not always, have some traces of purple pigmentation on the stalks, leaves, and husks as well.

Once silk has been pollinated, and the pollen tube grows down though the silk and the kernel inside is fertilized and begins to develop, the silk is no longer needed and dies. At this point, whether it was greenish-white or burgundy-purple to start with, it turns brown.

With a little time and observation, you'll learn to recognize the difference, and be able to use the color and texture of the silk to HELP determine ripeness of the ear, although, as with thumping a watermelon, this isn't foolproof -- I've picked plenty of underripe ears that LOOKED ripe because of the silk and the feel of the ear through the husk, and I've also seen ears that didn't look ripe or feel ripe, but were actually on the old side. It can be tricky after years of practice even.

These are the links that helped me:

Poor Kernel Set Symptoms in Corn - Purdue University

10 Golden Rules from Johnny's Selected Seeds

And an understanding (for me) to self-pollinate some corn I also had a real bad Japanese Beetle problem and they destroyed some of my silks which led to poor kernel set. This I did on my next few blocks... I don't know if it will help or not(?)

Lastly, I read one night on Davesgarden.com as much as I could from member, "Farmerdill" especially about spacing. This person makes a living growing vegetable crops. I found what corn this person recommends of the hundreds of Sweet Corn available. (Lives in Atlanta, GA so some may do good or others may not depending on where, you, live).

Silver Queen (best white)
Seneca Chief (good)
Kandy Corn (good)
Cotton Candy (says better than Silver Queen) but seed is hard to find.
Ruby Queen, (very good)
Sugar Dots (VERY BEST)
Pearl 'N Gold (better than Peaches and Cream)
Bantam Evergreen (another)

Just what I can offer, Dax.

excellent answer denninmi!

Thankyou everyone!